|
|
Arizona junior Robert Refsnyder has played in right field for the Wildcats, but the New York Yankees drafted him earlier this month as a second baseman in the fifth round because their scouts do not expect him to hit much for power in the big leagues.
Therefore, Refsnyder, 6-0, 195, is the highest second baseman prospect in the College World Series field. The 187th player taken in the draft, Refsnyder is batting .354 with a team-best 61 RBIs, as the Wildcats prepare to face Florida State tonight at 6 (Tucson time) in the opening round of the CWS in Omaha, Neb.
Arizona's Robert Refsnyder is the top second baseman prospect in the College World Series field although he has played mostly in the outfield for the Wildcats (WildAboutAZCats.net graphic)
Refsnyder was born in South Korea before being adopted by American parents. The 21-year-old is a right handed hitting outfielder that has an impressive .544 slugging percentage (total bases divided by at-bats). According to media who cover the Yankees, scouts see Refsnyder, an All-Pac-12 selection, ultimately becoming a .300 hitter in the majors who could hit upwards of 20 homers a season. He’s got average-to-above-average speed and a decent arm.
As shown in the graphic included in this blog, Arizona right-hander Kurt Heyer is one of the top six pitchers in the CWS field that was drafted. He was taken by the Cardinals in the sixth round. Heyer, the UA’s starter tonight against the Seminoles, leads the Wildcats with a 12-2 record and 2.28 ERA. He has pitched seven complete games with an impressive 102 strikeouts compared to only 22 walks.
Heyer will be a likely teammate in the rookie leagues of Florida State’s James Ramsey, the CWS field’s top right field prospect, taken by the Cardinals in the first round.
Ramsey, the 23rd overall pick, is batting .382 with a team-leading 13 home runs and 57 RBIs. He is also second on the team with 11 stolen bases.
Freshman left-hander Brandon Leibrandt (8-2, 2.58 ERA) will take the mound against Arizona tonight after throwing six innings of one-run ball against Stanford last weekend. He is not among the top six pitchers taken in the draft because he was ineligible for the draft being a freshman.
Florida State right-handed closer Robert Benincasa, chosen in the 7th round by the Nationals, is one of the top six pitchers in CWS field. He leads the Seminoles with 15 saves and a 4-1 record with 1.25 ERA. The 15 saves move him into a tie for second on Florida State’s single-season list and tied for eighth on the career list.
Florida has the most talent in the College World Series in terms of players drafted. The Gators boast five overall among the top position players and top six pitchers in the field.
